Kawasaki withdraws factory from MotoGP for 2009

Following the announcement of the attempts to sell the F1 Honda Racing Team and the withdrawal of the Japanese marque from Formula One in December last year, comes the decision this week from Kawasaki to suspend racing operations

in the upcoming MotoGP championship. The withdrawal of one of the Big Four manufacturers from the series is major blow and shows how the global financial crisis is starting to shape motorsport. Kawasaki’s parent said that the team staff would effectively be re-allocated. Dorna – who own the MotoGP franchise – said in a follow-up from their CEO that Kawasaki will hopefully continue to be represented by the entry of privateers on Kawasaki equipment. This is a major downer for the MotoGP series, with the teams due to start official testing for the 2009 season in March. The first race is in Qatar on 12th April 2009.